I know you are wondering what is going to bloom first in Spring 2016....and when is it going to bloom. Here's what Justice and Bell tell us:

FEBRUARY

Dandelion (Taraxacum offincinale) (into November)

Skunk Cabbage (SympJocarpus foetidas) (into March)

Now, where do we find these plants blooming? I don't think we even need to talk about dandelions....They are going to find us! Skunk Cabbage is a different story. There is a bog behind Earth Fare in Boone.....you will find them blooming there. I have two friends who have them blooming around their ponds and I'm sworn to secrecy on those. And then there is the Blue Ridge Parkway. Check your wildflower books for the Parkway location(s)....I do not know the exact location.
Have fun. We'll get into the next set of plants a little later.